The Department of Education (DepEd) is strengthening foundational learning in response to the continuing decline in student proficiency in the country. Based on data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), the proficiency of Filipino learners is falling from 30% in Grade 3 to 0.47% in Grade 12.
According to Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, the DepEd aims to strengthen the foundation of basic education by focusing on key stage 1 from kinder to Grade 3. He clarified that this is part of their strategy to ensure that children have solid knowledge right from the beginning of their studies.
The measures supported by the 2026 national budget include the full rollout of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, a strengthened feeding program, and additional funding for classes and books. The goal is to help students read, count, and keep up with their learning.
Based on data from 2023 to 2025, EDCOM 2 showed that almost 70% of Grade 3 learners still struggle with foundational skills such as letter recognition, reading common words, and simple problem-solving. In Grade 6, proficiency dropped to 19.56%, and in high school, only 1.36% in Grade 10 and 0.4% in Grade 12 reached the appropriate level of proficiency.
Despite the poor performance, the commission recognizes the targeted interventions of the DepEd such as the revised K to 10 curriculum, improved textbook procurement, summer literacy remediation, and the ARAL program. According to EDCOM Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee, the focus on foundational skills is the key to improving the quality of education in the country, especially in areas with a shortage of teachers and facilities.
